Tertiary institutions have key role to play in fostering national pride, Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong affairs says
- Xia Baolong meets Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and representatives of 22 tertiary education bodies during their trip to Beijing
- ‘Tertiary institutions should bear in mind the need to nurture more talent, produce more research achievements and contribute more to national development,’ Xia says
Hong Kong tertiary institutions should cultivate national sentiment among students, advocate patriotism and contribute more to the country’s development, Beijing’s top official on the city’s affairs has said.
The remarks from Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, came on Friday as he met Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and representatives of 22 Hong Kong tertiary education bodies during their trip to Beijing.
“Hong Kong education forms an important part of national education. The tertiary institutions should bear in mind the need to nurture more talent, produce more research achievements and contribute more to national development,” Xia said in his office’s statement.
“I hope that the leaders of Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions will take up the important responsibility of upholding the fundamentals of moral education, cultivating national sentiment and singing the theme of patriotism and love for Hong Kong.”
He added that the sector should support young students to bloom and contribute to nationwide education development.
Xia noted Hong Kong had unique advantages with its high-quality education, strong foundation in research, broad international networks and solid collaborations with mainland China.
He also urged society to support the chief executive and the administration to build the city into an international education hub.
Secretary Choi said the national security laws in Hong Kong and an improved electoral system had created a stable environment.
She added the city’s higher education sector would enjoy “a golden opportunity” for development in the next decade as China aimed to become a leading country in the sector by 2035.
Representatives from eight publicly funded universities, 13 self-financing institutions and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts attended the meeting.
